Fossil fuels

The battle to block Duke Energy’s new gas plant

In North Carolina, community members and advocates see a path — however narrow — to defeating a proposed gas plant that would threaten state climate goals.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 16 July 2024

The Mayo Coal Plant, located in Person County, North Carolina. (Duke Energy)

Hydrogen

Tax-credit rules leave key 'blue hydrogen' issues unanswered

Environmental watchdogs worry the Biden administration’s proposed rules for hydrogen tax credits may allow fossil gas and biogas to pollute at taxpayer expense.

By Jeff St. John . 12 January 2024
Emissions reduction

Clean electricity is driving down US emissions

A preliminary analysis shows the buildout of renewable energy helped to curb America’s greenhouse gas emissions by 1.9% in 2023.

By Maria Gallucci . 10 January 2024
Energy storage

A huge battery has replaced Hawaii's last coal plant

Plus Power’s Kapolei battery is officially online. The pioneering project is a leading example of how to shift crucial grid functions from fossil-fueled plants to clean energy.

By Julian Spector . 10 January 2024
Fossil fuels

Berkeley’s gas ban is all but dead. What does that mean for other cities?

A court ruled again that the city can’t enforce its pioneering gas ban. But experts say cities can pursue other paths to keep fossil gas out of new buildings.

By Akielly Hu . 8 January 2024
Fossil fuels

Chart: Coal-fired electricity may have peaked in 2023

The global energy mix is rapidly shifting away from the dirtiest fossil fuel and toward renewables, but the change is not everywhere — or fast enough.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 5 January 2024
Fossil fuels

Chart: The US hits new highs for oil and gas production

It's the hottest year on record, and the U.N. just set a global goal to phase out fossil fuels — but the U.S. is drilling for more oil and gas than ever before.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 22 December 2023
Fossil fuels

Seattle and other cities mull creative workarounds to ditch gas

After a court ruling struck down bans on fossil gas, lawmakers are devising new and innovative ways to electrify buildings.

By Akielly Hu . 20 December 2023
Electrification

Americans like home electrification — but also still love their gas stoves

Less than one-third of Americans want a fully electric home. That number jumps to 60 percent if they can keep cooking with gas.

By Tik Root . 11 December 2023
Climatetech finance

Chart: How much are oil and gas firms spending on clean energy? Not much

Fossil fuel companies accounted for just 1% of global climatetech funding last year — while continuing to invest lavishly in their planet-warming products.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 1 December 2023
Liquefied natural gas

The LNG export boom just hit a snag in Texas

A federal court has revoked a key permit for Sempra Energy, which plans to build an LNG facility in Port Arthur that could pollute Black and Latino communities.

By Lylla Younes . 21 November 2023